And on the seventh day, man created the mall: retailers fight to open on holidays

Apparently there isn’t enough time to shop these days. The Star reports that the question of whether or not to allow stores to open on holidays, such as Christmas and New Year’s Day, is up for debate next week before city council makes a decision next month. Malls like Yorkdale and Sherway Gardens are among the retailers hoping to stay open during the long weekends (currently, only the Eaton Centre, Yonge Street strip, Yorkville, Harbourfront and the Distillery District have permission to do so).

There’s no word yet on whether a change in the rules would mean all stores and malls across the city must open during the holidays. We can say with confidence, however, that there will be more fights between employees and bosses about taking vacation days. And we can probably expect bad service when shopping on Christmas Day when the woman behind the counter is thinking about the turkey dinner she’s missing.

Commenters on the Star’s siteare generally against the idea, saying that retail employees should get a break just like everyone else. But to play devil’s advocate, employees get more days that pay time-and-a-half (we assume), and families that really don’t get along can shop silently at the mall rather than sit through an awkward Thanksgiving dinner. Malls: replacing family time in Canada since 1949.

4 thoughts on “And on the seventh day, man created the mall: retailers fight to open on holidays”

Time and a half? not likely. Employers are putting in clauses to their contracts stating overtime/holiday times are at regular rates. Seems to be against provincial guidelines but that is what is happening.

why would you want to go to Scarborough Town Centre or Sherway on a holiday when you can go to the distillery district/harbourfront/beaches or another interesting place. Use it as an excuse to try something new if you really must shop 365.

I find it funny that retailers are using the bad economy as an excuse to be open every day of the year to make up for the lose of business during those few days….

What about all the disgruntled and unproductive employees that will be forced to work on these holidays? I find it horrifying that people that work in retail will now have more reasons to beg for time off. As someone who used to work in the restaurant industry for 7 years, I always hated the fact that my bosses expected me to work Christmas, New Years and Easter. I actually quit 2 different jobs because of it. Most of us spend those days with loved ones and when you’re forced to work (and without time and a half no less), it makes for a lot of resentment. Where are all the CEO’s and upper management who enforce these policies on the holidays? Oh that’s right, they’re at home with their families!

I think its one thing for an independent, small business to choose to stay open for their own personal benefit, while working the store themselves. But as for the big malls who employ hundreds of people, I don’t feel like those employees have any choice in the matter as a lot of employers tell them upfront which holidays they are no allowed to request time off on, and that is totally unfair!

And seriously people, if you can’t finish up your holiday shopping on Christmas Eve at the very latest, then you need to reevaluate your personal time. No one is that busy. And those who are can afford personal assistants to help them out a bit…

It is stupid to think that people will have any more money to spend just because the mall is open more often. People only have so much money in there walets. Most people who want to shop 24 /7 either cant aford it any way or only want to hang out waisting space and not buying anything anyway. I have seen one person buy a coffee while 8-9 others sit with them and chat all day long. Get a life people !